Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) is a treatment for an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

During laser PVP surgery, a tube with an imaging system (cystoscope) is inserted into the penis. A surgeon places a laser through the cystoscope to burn away (vaporize) excess prostate tissue. This eases blockage of the urethra and enlarges the opening to allow better urine flow during urination.

Laser PVP surgery is an effective and less invasive alternative to older, more traditional methods of removing prostate obstructions. Because laser PVP surgery vaporizes tissue rather than cutting or scraping it, there's generally less blood loss — which can make the procedure a good choice for men who have blood-clotting conditions or those who take blood thinners.

Legal Conditions and Terms

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.